Creative Holidays In Italy

La Serena Creative Holidays La Serena Creative Holidays are an unforgettable experience, combining the luxury home-from-home of our beautiful Italian Villa whilst immersing yourself in your chosen special interest. Come by yourself, to meet like-minded people, or with a group of friends. Your five-day holiday price includes all accommodation, gourmet meals and excursions. Dressmaking 23-27 […]

Courgette bake

Tortino di zucchine This courgette bake is a great main course for vegetarians or alternatively a hearty first-course dish for four people. ➤ Serves 2 ➤ Preparation 10 minutes ➤Cooking 35 minutes 2-4 medium to large courgettes, topped, tailed and sliced lengthways into thick ‘tongues’ 2 tbsp plain white flour 250ml sunflower oil ½ an onion, chopped 2 tbsp […]

Ghiberti’s Doors

Ghiberti’s doors are a splendid masterpiece of what would become the characteristic of Renaissance art – spatial realism with people and buildings shown proportionately. The bronze, gold-covered doors of the Florentine Baptistery opposite the entrance to the Cathedral are one of the masterpieces of the early Renaissance period. They were 25 years in the making […]

Snow Covered Mount Etna

David Wakefield, South Staffordshire “The attached photo was taken at 9.00am on 28th April 2015 and shows the still snow covered Mount Etna, bathed in the rising sun, through the arches of the Teatro Greco in Taormina. A truly awe inspiring vista amongst many on the enchanting island of Sicily.”

48 Hours In Lake Orta

Peaceful, quiet and smaller than some of the country’s more famous lakes, Lake Orta gave Jane Keightley the chance to consider the understated beauty of this sub-Alpine secret… Described by Honoré de Balzac as “a pearl, enclosed by the green treasure chest of the Piemontese hills”, Lake Orta is one of the smallest of the […]

Top Tips For Lake Orta

Inspired to visit Lake Orta? Here’s our top tips on what to see and do, where to eat and drink and what not to miss! WHAT TO SEE AND DO ➤ Boat trip to Isola San Giulio< Piazza Motta 1, Orta San Giulio +39 333 605 0288 www.motoscafisti.com Motoscafi Pubblici di Orta offer trips across to […]

Pasta alla Norma

This is a classic Sicilian Pasta alla Norma recipe, blending the flavours of aubergines, tomatoes, basil and ricotta. The term Norma seems to refer to the lady who developed the dish whose standard was deemed as high as Bellini’s opera La Norma. ➤ Serves 4 ➤ Cooking Time 45 minutes ➤ Easy Ingredients: 2 medium aubergines, sliced width-wise, layered and salted with coarse salt and […]

Riccioli Salad With Grilled Chicken

Riccioli Salad With Grilled Chicken, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Red Onions and Pesto This Riccioli Salad With Grilled Chicken, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Red Onions and Pesto is great if you have lots of hungry teenagers. It is nutritious, well balanced and easy to serve as a salad at a picnic or barbecue. The use of sun-dried tomatoes and pesto compliments the rather plain chicken flavour. Chilli gives it […]